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Dynamic Loops

Giant loops of plasma above the Sun's surface are swaying back and forth, spanning distances up to an estimated 100,000 miles (Sept. 18-19, 2013). The video clip covers a little over a day of activity viewed in extreme ultraviolet light. The loops actually are charged particles spiraling along numerous groups of magnetic field lines extending above active regions. Meanwhile, a darker, cooler mass of plasma swirled and twisted above the Sun in the upper left area of the frames. The still image was taken at 5:29 UT on Sept. 19. Credit: Solar Dynamics Observatory/NASA.